i must apologise chickenhq. i read your post last nite and the feces hit the fan elsewhere or would of posted sooner.
could it be that the cd-rom may be corrupted? it sort of may sound like it may be. sometimes install cd surface has fingerprints, spots, etc. maybe turn cd over and scrub install side with some coarse steel wool or maybe even 80 grit sandpaper.
this will really get rid of spots fast. taking apart hard drive and scrubbing platter with sandpaper also helps. ha-ha!
i have sent the files in question to you here. spycat not know if cd you have is original, slipstreamed, home-made, etc. 1 folder will be win 2000 pro that has been slipstreamed to service pack 3 level. other folder has files in question off from microsoft win2000 original disk (you know, with all kinds of shiny cool surfaces.). these are known good files.
and check spycat's post for "wincdman". very cool prog.
hope all goes well. good luck